Chapter 9: Pushing Cloud Palm

Chapter 9: Pushing Cloud Palm
Huang Mansion.
Using the best medicine in the family, Huang Chengzhi slowly woke up from his unconscious state, feeling a burning pain on his face. He recalled how he had been picked up like a chick by the other party, and an overwhelming sense of anger and resentment surged in his heart.
```html"Dad, I want revenge. I want to kill them," Huang Chengzhi said with his eyes full of resentment, struggling to speak.
Zhao Yun's several slaps were too harsh, knocking out a few of his back molars; the pain made it difficult and uncomfortable for him to speak.```
Huang Yuan held his son's hand and comforted him, saying, "Cheng Zhi, don’t worry. I, your father, will not let the Gu family and that damned kid get away with it. Anyone who dares to harm my son will pay with their lives."
With a change of subject, he continued, "Chengzhi, you should focus on recovering from your injuries first. Among the disciples sent by the Shangyang Heart Sect this time, there is one who is the son of my old friend. Your father has already sent a generous gift to ask him to look out for you during the assessment, and I am sure he will help you pass it. As for taking revenge, your father will take care of it; you can rest assured. I will make sure they suffer greatly."
“Thank you, Dad.” Huang Chengzhi took his father's hand, trying to calm his excited heart as he said, “Dad, I can handle the revenge myself. Once I break through, I want to personally capture him and make him feel what it's like to be slapped. When he begs for mercy like I did, I will kill him, and only then will my hatred be relieved.”
Huang Yuan keenly noticed his son was about to break through, the joy on his face was hard to contain, and his voice even trembled as he spoke:
“Chengzhi, are you saying you’re about to break through?”
The boy lying on the bed showed a flash of pride in his eyes; if it weren't for the pain still on his face, his expression would surely be more animated. He assuredly said, “That’s right, in just two days, I’ll be able to break through to the fourth level of the Spiritual Origin Realm.”
“That's great! No wonder you're my son; how can Gu Tingye compare to you? With this, our chances are even higher. Once my son joins the Shangyang Heart Sect, I will surely host a three-day feast for you.” Huang Yuan excitedly patted his thigh.
Take care of the family.
Gu Tingye has become much more honest and rarely able to calm down to focus on cultivation; it seems that his defeat to Huang Chengzhi was a significant blow to him.
Aside from cultivation, Gu Tingye would persistently engage Zhao Yun in sparring. He had promised the head of the Gu family, so it was hard for him to refuse. Compared to Gu Tingye's excitement, Zhao Yun remained much calmer. The outcome was also evident; the difference in their combat power was substantial. Zhao Yun acted decisively, and before Gu Tingye could react, he was already defeated.
For such a result, Gu Tingye was quite unconvinced. He had fought many times back and forth, and although this kid kept losing, he gradually started to fight back, which really impressed him. Gu Tingye had a very strong fighting instinct, and his family's martial arts, "Cloud Exploration Hands," were executed to perfection. However, due to insufficient energy accumulation, the lack of enough spiritual energy to support his moves naturally weakened their power.
After multiple sparring sessions with Gu Tingye, Zhao Yun unexpectedly gained some insights, inadvertently learning the Gu family's "Tian Yun Hand." During their practice, he casually inquired about the rank of the Tian Yun Hand as a martial art.
Gu Tingye told him that the family heirloom "Tanyun Hand" and the Huang family's "Pimountain Palm" both belong to the lowest tier of Huang-level martial arts, and that's only because their ancestors spent a great deal of money to acquire them. Martial skills are invaluable to small families and are often considered treasures passed down through generations. Unlike large sects or royal families, which control vast resources and have collections of various martial skills numbering in the hundreds, small families cannot aspire to such wealth.
So this is why so many people want to join a sect or become part of the imperial family, because only then do they have the opportunity to obtain the desired cultivation resources. A skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice; even the most talented genius will eventually become useless over time if they don't have suitable cultivation techniques and martial arts to practice.
On the rivers and lakes, it’s not hard to understand that people fight to the death over a martial arts manual. Everyone is forced into a corner and has no choice but to take risks; if there were sufficient resources, who would willingly engage in such a deadly struggle? Cultivation is ultimately about living longer than others, and any lofty ideals are built upon this foundation.
In the dark of night, Zhao Yun lay on his bed, his consciousness drawn into his mind. The family treasure emitted a soft glow, forming a small figure. The figure waved its hands and struck repeatedly; wasn't this the Gu family's Cloud Probe technique? Upon closer inspection, however, it seemed to differ slightly, being more intricate than the Cloud Probe. It resembled an upgraded version. Gu Tingye's Cloud Probe could strike a maximum of three times, while the small figure could unleash seven consecutive blows, making it clear that its power was magnitudes greater.
赵云正在感叹，又见小人打起来虎贲拳来，一遍两遍三遍，虎贲拳变了，中间加入了探云手的招式，这是两种武技融合了，可能是探云手比虎贲拳品级要高的缘故，新的武技一掌为主，继承了虎贲拳的刚猛霸道却也不失探云手的轻巧灵动。
Zhao Yun was overjoyed, memorized it, and thought of a new name for it, calling it "Tuiyun Palm," as he floated through a different world, pushing clouds into the Heavenly Gate.
The family heirloom truly lives up to its reputation, having an unexpected function of merging and refining martial techniques. Zhao Yun couldn't help but envision his future in the Shangyang Heart Sect, merging all kinds of martial arts within the sect; wouldn't the techniques he obtained be extraordinarily powerful? Just thinking about it made him excited. The only downside was that he didn't know what grade the Tuiyun Palm belonged to.
“Tomorrow is the assessment day for the Shangyang Heart Sect. Xiao Zhao and Ye'er, how have you two prepared?” Gu Qingfeng asked with concern.
“Dad, don't worry, I will definitely pass the assessment.” Gu Tingye replied with great confidence.
Zhao Yun's eyes were resolute, and he nodded to show that he was also confident.
“Good, it's great that you have confidence! I've gathered some information, and besides the basic qualification tests, there’s really only one assessment this time. I don't know the specifics, but I've heard that it requires cooperation, so you two must support each other,” Gu Qingfeng advised.
“Got it, dad.” Gu Tinge readily replied, placing his hand on Zhao Yun's shoulder, indicating their good relationship.
“Uncle Gu, don’t worry, Xiaoye and I will work hard together.”
Previously, Zhao Yun referred to Gu Qingfeng as "senior," but Gu Qingfeng found it inappropriate and suggested that since Zhao Yun was a friend of Ye'er, he should just call him "uncle." When Gu Tingye learned that Zhao Yun was a year older than him, he addressed Zhao Yun as "big brother" instead of "Gu brother," which felt too distant. He preferred to be called "Tingye" or "Little Yezi." Zhao Yun decisively chose to call him "Little Yezi."
……
In a secluded valley, several emaciated old men gathered together. One of them said, "This time, when the Yangxin Sect is recruiting disciples, our Shadowy Sect, being old friends, should send some gifts."
“That's right, how about we give them a good start?” an old man said ominously.
“Good, I agree.” The others echoed the old man's words.
“Alright, this opening ceremony will officially announce to everyone that the once strongest sect—Yōuyǐng Zong, is back.” The leader made the decision. The gathered crowd dispersed in all directions to prepare this grand gift of an "opening ceremony" for the Shangyang Heart Sect.
(End of this chapter)